Water uptake dynamics in soybean seeds: influence in seeds performance and DNA integrity

Lisiane Sartori Pereira,Tathiana Elisa Masetto

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20200212

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Relationships among water uptake rate and temperatures were investigated in five soybean seeds lots cv. M 6410 IPRO. Germination, field emergence and electrical conductivity tests were applied to determine seed performance after fast (complete immersion in water), control (moist substrate) and slow (moist atmosphere) imbibitions both at 20 °C and 30 °C. The fresh weight increment over time in soybean seeds during imbibition was recorded. In parallel, analysis of the DNA integrity of seedlings obtained from such seeds was performed in gel electrophoresis. Absorption pattern of soybean seeds were similar among temperatures, but absorption characteristics vary with time progress according to the way of water entrance into the seeds. Upon fast imbibition seeds germinated lower than non-fast-imbibed seeds, besides loss of seed performance. In contrast, slow-imbibed seeds showed high germination, low abnormal seedlings and maintenance of seeds performance. DNA isolation from fast imbibed seeds was highly degraded; although, some considerably degraded samples were reported in controlled imbibed seeds and the best preserved DNA was found in slow-imbibed seeds. The pattern of DNA degradation is typically passive or non programmed cell death. Our results showed it is important to consider the water uptake rate during germination test, since DNA integrity plays a critical role during seed imbibition, preserving soybean seed performance.

Highlights

Seed germination is a complex and tightly regulated process which starts with water absorption by the dry seed and ends when radicle elongates
Water sorption describe the relationship between the water content and the time progress and were constructed according to the way of water uptake at 20 and 30 °C to characterize the effect of the water uptake course into the seeds on that relationship
Sorption pattern of soybean seeds were similar among temperatures, but sorption characteristics vary with time progress according to the way of water entrance into the seeds (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Seed germination is a complex and tightly regulated process which starts with water absorption by the dry seed and ends when radicle elongates. Its achievement requires a synchronized attainment of many cellular processes including DNA repair, protein synthesis or membrane reorganization (WEITBRECHT et al, 2011; BEWLEY et al, 2013). It is worth noting that seed imbibition is an important process in the plant life cycle and determines whether seed germination and plant growth will be successful or not (RIBEIRO et al, 2015). Even DNA does not escape the severity of drying and rehydration without some damage, and repair is an early priority. It is anticipated that following imbibition the synthesis of enzymes and compounds to limit and repair cellular damage is prevalent (NONOGAKI et al, 2006)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion